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You Have A Title, But Do You Know Your Name?

For years, I was so focused on having a “quality ” job. When I was in college I strategically planned out my professional career path. I wanted to make sure my resume was golden. I packed my life with extracurricular activities, leadership positions on campus, and other things for accolades. I wanted to prove I was worthy of an awesome job. I saw how my older sister struggled to get a quality job right out of college during the recession and I vowed to myself to never let my circumstances determine my outcome. I had paid internships at large companies, became an RA on campus and during my last year, I decided to squeeze in a second job. In other words; I was a hustler.

All this paid off, and when I graduated from college in 2012 I had a great job, awesome benefits and a salary making over $40K- straight out of college! I was at the prime of my life. I was 22 years old living the “American Dream.” Until one day my “American Dream,” my job, was shaken. Everything I knew was in a state of uncertainty. My faith wavered and the enemy got into my head. I was diagnosed with depression and my doctor put me on an anti-depressant. I felt like I was living without being alive. It was a very dark time in my life and really felt distant from God. Since I was down I was unable to seek God, I decided to chase another job. One with more money and more security…..so I thought. I ran to a job that paid $50K a year. The money was great but the work was not. It was a sales job, and they were more concerned with profit rather than people. There were some unethical things going on. I only lasted there for a few months before I finally decided to leave. So long story short I went from making 40k, to 50k, to being unemployed in less than a year.

I’m not going to lie, I was torn up! I had to move back to my parents’ house in my hometown, sleeping in my childhood bed. At 23 years old I was at my lowest point. And that’s when God began to break me. For weeks, I didn’t sleep regularly. I stayed up all night and day applying for jobs. I kept trying to get out of my current situation, without seeing God as my main source of help. Even though I was going to church, reading scripture I wasn’t truly applying it. So when I was applying for jobs I got turned down each time. It wasn’t until God revealed to me what my underlined confliction was- Pride.

I prided myself on my job titles, my accolades, and all my other accomplishments. I thought surely if I held these job titles at other companies, another company would want me. When job hunting got me nowhere, God had to humble me. He had to show me I do not control my destiny, He does. He had to show me a job title was not my identity.

I read scripture after scripture on pride and humbleness. I also had to read about plans and patience. Then I began to fast and seek the Lord in prayer. I didn’t realize what a strong hold pride and patience were for me. By being unemployed for a few months, I was blessed with this time to grow spiritually. Even though it didn’t feel like a blessing at the time, I now know it was all in God’s plan. God was keeping me the whole time.

Now I know a job title doesn’t define me- it’s whatever God calls me that matters. He titles me and gives me a name, which is way greater than any title a job can give me.

Amen!!! This is one of the most transparent articles, blogs of any kind that I have read in a while! Because I can FEEL it! You have truly been awakened to a love that is unfortunately not being illustrated or dominated in our culture- REAL love…like God loves. A love that doesn’t laugh and giggle and say “girl you cute” but rather toughness up at times to say “sweetie that attire may cause him to stumble”.

Thank you Patrice! This is a timely read that positively affects MORE than you could’ve ever imagined!

Praise God Chels!!! I’m so happy this post spoke to you. Yes, God’s love is amazing!!! I know he let me experience everything for a reason. Now I can use my testimony to tell others how he brought me through. Amen! God is an on time God. You’re welcome sis 🙂 Stay encouraged!